Spiders Move Into Top Half of Leaderboard on Final Day at River Run Collegiate

Monday, September 20

Davidson, NC

8:55 AM

University of Richmond

River Run Collegiate

Spiders Move Into Top Half of Leaderboard on Final Day at River Run Collegiate

09/21/2021 | Men's Golf

RESULTS

DAVIDSON, N.C. -- The Spiders grinded their way to a team score of 301 (+13) in the final round of the River Run Collegiate on Tuesday, moving four spots up the team leaderboard to finish eighth in the 16-team event. Consistent rain and a steady wind combined to make the 7,317-yard layout at River Run Country Club play even longer in Round 3.

"The guys handled a tough final round setup and wet conditions very well," said coach Adam Decker. "The average score today was over 77, so we did a nice job of saving a few shots and moved up a few spots."

"It was one of the more difficult college golf setups I've seen," added senior Michael Childress. "It's just a course that demands a lot from you on each shot on each hole. It didn't feel like there was really any hole you could take a breather on."

Sophomore Garrett Clark was the Spiders top finisher for the second straight event, shooting 70 (-2) Tuesday to finish at 218 (+2) and tie for ninth in the field of 84. Clark birdied three of the four par-5s at River Run in Round 3 and added a birdie on the par-3 14th hole while making a pair of bogeys en route to Richmond's low round in the 54-hole event. Decker called Clark's round on Tuesday "fantastic."

Clark finished third last week in the Spiders season-opening win at the VCU Shootout. He is the first Spider to finish in the top 10 in the first two events of a season since 2013, when senior Jack Wilkes tied for sixth at the Marshall Invitational and seventh at the VCU Shootout.

Childress tied for 38th after shooting 75 (+3) on Tuesday to finish at 229 (+13). Junior Ben Cooper was one shot back, tied for 43rd at 230 (+14). Senior Carter Cook (tied for 60th at 17-over 233) and junior Lou Baker (tied for 65th at 20-over 236) rounded out the Spiders lineup.

Spiders freshman Cole Ekert, playing as an individual, recorded a 15th-place finish in his collegiate debut. Ekert recorded a birdie, four bogeys, and a double bogey for a 77 (+5) on Tuesday to finish at 4-over 220.

Richmond's next competition will be over fall break at the Autotrader Collegiate Classic in Duluth, Ga. Richmond will compete in the 54-hole event at Berkeley Hills Country Club on October 11-12.